Research Assistant
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Job no: 530508
Work type: Hourly Wage/Part-Time
Senior management: College of Engineering
Department: Electrical and ComputerEngineering
Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
Categories: Research / Scientific
The research assistant in this position will conduct fundamental scientific research with the Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Science Team (MIST) (see http://mist.ece.vt.edu) and Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) group (see http://superdarn.org) in the Center for Space Science and Engineering Research at Virginia Tech (Space@VT). Both groups operate ground-based instruments in the middle to high-latitude regions of both hemispheres that are used to study the Earth’s upper atmosphere, ionosphere, and their outward connection into the magnetosphere (or “geospace”). Particular research topics that will be addressed include ionospheric irregularities, ultra-low frequency (ULF) pulsations, and neutral winds in the mesosphere. This will be a part-time hourly-wage position located on the Blacksburg campus. The person hired to fill the position should also be prepared to pursue other collaborative activities within the MIST/SuperDARN groups, such as software development, data distribution, and travel to remote locations for instrument deployment and maintenance.
Responsibilities include:
- Conduct research on ionospheric irregularities, ultra-low frequency (ULF) pulsations, and mesospheric winds
- Assist in the operation, deployment, and maintenance of geophysical instruments in polar environments
- Assist in the preparation of scientific presentations, reports, and publications
- Familiarity with the science of the coupled magnetosphere-ionosphere-atmosphere (geospace) system
- Demonstrated experience with the analysis of ground-based datasets for geospace research
- Excellent computer programming and data analysis skills
- Willingness to travel to remote polar environments for instrument deployment and maintenance
- Excellent written and oral presentation skills
- Previous experience analyzing data from ground-based magnetometers and SuperDARN HF radars
- Demonstrated interpersonal skills for working in a small cohesive research team
- Previous experience with design, test, deployment, and maintenance of geophysical equipment
- Previous experience conducting fieldwork in remote polar environments
- Previous experience with scientific programming languages such as Java, Python, and IDL
Commensurate with Experience
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact K Atkins at atkins@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
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